Will Heat rookie Bam Adebayo spend some time in Sioux Falls? Erik Spoelstra didn’t rule it out

Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat reacts to a dunk during a preseason game against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena on October 11, 2017 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

MIAMI — Bam Adebayo will start his rookie season with the Heat. But coach Erik Spoelstra didn’t rule out a visit to Sioux Falls down the road.

“[Bam’s] going to be with us early on, because he’s earned that,” Spoelstra said after Monday’s practice. “And then we’ll be open to whatever. The most important thing, obviously, is getting our rotation and having some depth from there. And the main thing being the main thing is we are playing to our abilities for whoever is out there. But in terms of individual player development, if guys aren’t playing then we’ll visit that they may need some game time in Sioux Falls. But right now, he’s played well. He makes you watch him.”

Adebayo’s minutes increased as the preseason went on. The 20-year-old big man logged 27 minutes of playing time over the Heat’s first four preseason games, but went on to play a total of 47 minutes in the final two games.

As Adebayo’s minutes increased so did his production level. After averaging 2.3 points in the first four preseason contests, he averaged 14.0 points and 5.5 rebounds in the final two.

But if there’s not enough playing time for Adebayo with the Heat this season, Spoelstra made it clear that he could spend time with the Heat’s developmental team, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

“I just need to prove to Pat and coach Spo and my teammates, nobody else,” Adebayo said Monday when asked if he feels pressure to avoid being sent to the developmental league. “They know what I can do. I just need to go out there and go do it.”

Playing for the Skyforce isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson each spent time in Sioux Falls for part of their rookie seasons.

The reality is that Adebayo’s minutes could be limited with the Heat. Miami will rely on Hassan Whiteside, Kelly Olynyk and James Johnson to play most of the minutes in its power rotation, which won’t leave a lot of playing time for Adebayo.

Along with Adebayo, the Heat also have Okaro White, Jordan Mickey, Udonis Haslem and AJ Hammons fighting for minutes as part of their frontcourt. Miami is allowed to dress a maximum of 13 players for regular-season games.

“You never know what can happen,” Adebayo said when asked about the possibility of playing for the Skyforce. “Just going by ear and keep fighting and playing hard. Just going out there and giving the best things I got.”